Film Commission
Jamaica's globally recognised creative identity — from reggae and dancehall to film and animation — represents a powerful cultural IP platform with untapped commercial potential.
Largest GDP Contributor*
3rd
Creative Brand
Global
Overview
Film Commission
Jamaica's globally recognised creative identity — from reggae and dancehall to film and animation — represents a powerful cultural IP platform with untapped commercial potential.
Industry overview
Screen and creative industries in Jamaica
Jamaica's film, animation and music industries are the third-largest contributor to the island's GDP, with a significant multiplier effect across tourism, hospitality, and creative services.
Browse Information CentreGrowing studios & talent
Film and animation studios continue to expand island-wide, supported by graduates from new animation programmes and initiatives such as JAFTA Propella and Film Lab.
Industry bodies
The Jamaica Film and Television Association (JAFTA) is the main industry body for film and television, while the Jamaica Animation Nation Network supports animation growth.
Locations that sell the story
From Kingston and Port Royal to Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios, Port Antonio, Cockpit Country, and the Blue Mountains — diverse urban, historic, and natural sets.
Jamaica Film Commission
Your partner for filming and screen export
Launched in 1984 within JAMPRO, the Jamaica Film Commission creates and realises business opportunities for Jamaica's film and animation industries — facilitation, advocacy, and market promotion.
Register a film projectProduction facilitation
Location scouting support, permits and customs guidance, and connections to local production managers, equipment rental, and service providers.
Promotion & markets
Positioning Jamaica at international festivals, trade shows, and content markets, and circulating export and investment opportunities.
JSDI financing
The Jamaica Screen Development Initiative funds eligible screen projects across Development, Production, Completion, Festival & Market Attendance, Marketing & Distribution, and Production Rebates.
Explore JSDIUK Co-Production Treaty
Since 2007, Jamaica and the United Kingdom share an official film co-production treaty — the only such agreement available to an Anglophone Caribbean country — unlocking shared incentives, funding, and national-film status in both markets.
View treaties
International partnerships
UK–Jamaica Co-Production Treaty
In 2007, Jamaica signed an official film co-production treaty with the United Kingdom — and remains the only Anglophone Caribbean country with access to these benefits. British and Jamaican producers can share tax relief, joint project funding, and easier movement of production equipment across borders, while co-produced films qualify as national films in both countries.
View all co-production treatiesWhy co-produce
Advantages for filmmakers
Cross-border incentives
Access foreign and local tax relief, subsidies, grant funding, and related fiscal benefits available to official co-productions.
Shared resources & risk
Pool financial, creative, technical, and physical resources — delivering larger-scale projects with shared risk.
Larger combined markets
Reach audiences and distribution networks in both Jamaica and the UK, with national-film status supporting market access in each territory.
Film Commission
Opportunities
Studios
Develop film and animation studios, supported by programmes such as JAFTA Propella, Film Lab, and the BOSS Programme.
Learn moreProduction
Produce movies and documentaries across diverse cities, towns, historic sites, waterfalls, and natural locations island-wide.
Learn moreDistribution
Market and distribute film, animation, and music productions to regional and global audiences.
Learn moreAnimation & Digital Content
Build animation capacity with support from the Jamaica Animation Nation Network training and development initiatives.
Learn more
Continue with JAMPRO
Tools for screen export
Film project registration
Register your film project through the Jamaica Business Gateway — the official online pathway for Film Commission registration.
Register on Jamaica Business GatewayJamaica Screen Development Initiative
Explore financing pathways for eligible screen projects — Development, Production, Completion, festivals, marketing, and production rebates.
Explore JSDICo-Production Treaties
Review Jamaica's film co-production frameworks, including the UK–Jamaica Film Co-Production Treaty (2007).
View treatiesGuide to Filming in Jamaica (Archival)
2019 guide retained for reference — an updated edition is in development by the Film Commission team.
Open archival guide
Explore
Sector Performance
3rd Film, animation & music contribution rank to GDP — Cited on sector page · JAMPRO Film Commission
Diverse Cities, historic sites, waterfalls & natural locations for filming — Ongoing · JAMPRO Film Commission
Industry programmes JAFTA Propella, Film Lab, BOSS Programme supporting growth — Cited on sector page · JAMPRO Film Commission
From Our Partners
Film Commission“Jamaica has her own rhythm that allows the essence of your story to come alive; each frame a postcard, each moment a memory...”
Ready to film or export screen content from Jamaica?
The Film Commission can help with facilitation, market access, and next steps for your production or creative export.